Mark 8:22-33 - Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

Reader Related Verse
Bible Comments

The Eyes of The Disciples Are Opened (8:22-9:33a).

Following on Jesus' concern at the lack of understanding of the disciples we now learn how their eyes are gradually opened to see at least something of the truth. The subsection commences with the healing of a blind man in two stages, a picture of what is happening to the disciples, and moves on to the disciples' recognition that Jesus is the Messiah. The consequence of this is that Jesus then begins to emphasise that His way is to be a way of suffering as the Son of Man, followed by His revelation in glory. And at the same time He gives to Peter, James and John a vision of that glory. It is necessary for them to know both sides of Who He is. From Mark's viewpoint Jesus at last lays aside the veil that has covered His teaching, and reveals openly what lies ahead. It is a way of suffering and glory, resulting in final triumph. And it has been made possible by their recognition of Him as the Messiah.

Analysis of 8:22-9:33a.

He comes to Bethsaida (Mark 8:22)

a The blind man's eyes are gradually opened (Mark 8:22-26)

b The disciples recognise Who Jesus is (Mark 8:27-30).

c They learn that He must suffer before His glory is revealed (Mark 8:31 to Mark 9:1).

d In the transfiguration His glory is revealed before the chosen three in the presence of Moses and Elijah (Mark 9:2-8).

c They learn that they must not tell others of what they have seen until after the resurrection and learn that Elijah has already come to restore all things, leading up to the suffering of the Son of Man and of Elijah himself (Mark 9:9-13).

b The demon possessed boy is remarkably healed revealing the uniqueness of Jesus. No other could do what He did (Mark 9:14-29).

a The disciples are alone with Jesus and learn that spiritual storms lay ahead for Him and for themselves. Their eyes are being gradually opened (Mark 9:30-32).

He returns to Capernaum (Mark 9:33 a).

Note that in ‘a' the eyes of the blind man are gradually opened, and in the parallel Jesus opens the eyes of the disciples to what lies ahead. In ‘b' the disciples, through Peter their spokesman, recognise that Jesus is the Messiah, and in the parallel they are made aware of His total uniqueness and authority. In ‘c' they learn that He must suffer before His glory is revealed, and in the parallel they learn the same. Centrally in ‘d' Jesus is transfigured and His glory is revealed.

Related Commentaries of Mark 8:22

Mark 8:22-33

22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.

23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.

24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.

25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

26 And he sent him away to his house, saying,Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them,Whom do men say that I am?

28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

29 And he saith unto them,But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.

30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying,Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.